Discernment and Counter-Cult Ministries

“True wisdom is not manifested in trying to see
resemblances in things which differ, but in discerning the real difference among
those which resemble one another.”

"The shocking fact regarding many popular, so-called
"discernment" ministries is their lack of genuine
biblical discernment on the core issue of whether
God or Man is sovereign in salvation. Such blindness is profoundly disturbing,
the zenith of irony, and a testimony to the power of the world and its current
angelic prince." DRS

"Some think they must know errors and heresies in order to
avoid them. Do you think the Father wants us to be acquainted with what is evil
in that way? Not at all. We do not need to explore and know ALL the evil; we
cannot afford to waste our time in this way. If we occupy ourselves with evil
we shall in some way be colored by it. The greatest thing is to be hidden with
Him. In this day of religious evil the only true preservation is to be kept
abiding in the Lord Jesus above." CAC

Warning! An overwhelming majority of “discernment” and
“counter-cult” ministries are non-denominational as well
as non-dispensational. Non-denominational ministries became
popular back during the first half of the 20th century as fundamentalist believers came together to
battle the heresy of liberalism in their respective denominations.
Organizationally speaking, the fundamental/evangelical believers lost the battle and were forced to withdraw,
subsequently forming
lowest-common-denominator associations. In the aftermath, intentional lack
of doctrinal transparency and "division-phobia" became the status-quo
among a majority of non-denominationalists. In their view, to revisit historical controversies
(e.g., Arminian vs. Calvinist) spelled certain division for either group or
church. However, fellowship with God in truth and the light
should be
the only divine basis for unity among brethren.

Today, the orientation of a majority of these
discernment ministries is Arminian, while a smaller number are
Calvinistic. Some are theologically syncretistic on the issue of
determinism vs.
indeterminism,
adamantly shout "Jesus and the Bible Only!", thereby claiming to
be above all theological systems and 2,000 years of church history.
This attitude is reminiscent of the 1960s Jesus People
movement. Many lack doctrinal transparency. If a website avoids stating or
even hides
its orientation (using a minimalist Trinitarian/evangelical statement
doesn't count for adequate transparency), we next look to see who they've linked to for an
indication of their doctrinal sympathies. All Christians
(even those who claim 'super-spirituality')
have doctrinal sympathies, whether they openly acknowledge them or not.

The primary problem with most discernment ministries is their sole, self-appointed role in the body of Christ is to singularly
point out heresy. Most fail or refuse to understand (diagnose) heresy’s
cause(s), neither can they offer cures that are either preventative or
curative. These are those “…who love nothing more than ‘gatekeeping’,
‘controlling the switches’, and ‘patrolling the boundaries’”, "watchers
on the wall" who expect great reward.

The late Dr. Kenneth Good wrote, "Theological Liberalism, which we
utterly abhor and publicly repudiate, and with which we will have no
fellowship, is based upon human rationalization to the total or partial
exclusion of divine revelation. Arminianism is philosophically
identical. Its presuppositions are the same. Humanistic
reasoning is placed in direct opposition to divine revelation. The
difference between Liberalism and Arminianism is one of degree
and not of kind. Both are the children of
humanistic rationalism. Arminianism therefore produces the soil in
which Liberalism [and a host of other heresies, e.g. Emergent] can
flourish."

Arminian-based ministries fail to understand
that they share the same humanistic foundational tenet
(free will) with many of the groups or religious movements they seek to expose. The
doctrine of free will is the seedbed of heresy, and this might
explain why Arminian-oriented discernment ministries far outnumber all
others--their fellowships and churches have and continue to be hotbeds of apostasy. By
contrast, Calvinists reject the free will tenet, but their non-Pauline
approach to Christian living--law as a rule of life--leads to
hypocrisy and defeat.

Non-dispensational groups, Arminian or Calvinist, typically advocate “Kingdom
building” though use of “charismata-gifts” or “apologetics,” respectively.
Because of their failure to rightly divide the Word, some in both
groups advocate "tongues for today" and/or even “demonism"
and "spiritual warfare.” Some individuals and
ministries border on emotional hysteria over "conspiracies" and the flood tide of apostasy.

However, it is identification-based
spiritual growth which is to protect both individual Christian and
the Church corporately from error, not the gift of "discerning of
spirits" (1 Corinthians 12:10) nor any so-called "word of discernment"
from a charismatic leader! Despite the incessant preaching on
"spiritual gifts," heard from pulpits, the list of gifts of 1
Corinthians 12:7-11; 14:1-32 arenomore.

In identifying "who's who" below, we are not suggesting that
all of these ministries are devoid of value. Far from it. Yet
believers must learn to glean the wheat and toss the
chaff.
This can be difficult for young Christians, and so we have assembled
various categories below to help in the growth and maturing process.

[
Doctrinally Syncretistic (Sovereignty of God AND Sovereignty of Man)

O - Dispensational

Other Ministries

Critical Issues Commentary - Bob DeWaay,
ÿ :
DeWaay's
spiritual journey includes an early slog through charismania, but
also graduation from North Central Bible College (Pentecostal) and
Bethel Seminary (Baptist). His ministry is generally on solid
ground regarding the subject of free will, a rare phenomena indeed. See his
article here. This appears attributable to sovereign grace,
exposure to Reformed and Lutheran scholars, and "verse by verse
expository teaching and preaching" in a pastoral setting. His
academic background and having nominal exposure to dispensational
scholarship may explain his
peculiar view on 1st century sign gifts (healing, miraculous powers,
discerning spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues). Also see #7
in the church's
Statement of Faith.

Watchman Fellowship - James K. Walker, This
site is large and maintained by a professional staff. Evangelical,
baptistic.